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When Did Eminem Get Boring?

What we were really struck by in the AMAs occurred earlier in the show: a performance by Eminem and 50 Cent. Did you see that one? It was the usual deal: Eminem rapping in a hoodie, followed by 50 strutting on stage in a down vest, and though it was technically fine (Eminem and 50 are rappers who can hold it down live) we were stunned by how immediately passe it looked and sounded. It was like watching

Bill Haley and the Comets up there; it felt dated, edgeless, and utterly boring. Down vests and hoodies? Really? Really? To think it was not long ago that an 50/Em performance would have been the moment of the evening. Last night, you could hear crickets. Even Carrie Underwood was more exciting.

Which is to say what’s been obvious for a while: hip-hop’s Eminem/50 wing badly needs a renovation. The genre has moved on—even mainstream artists like Kanye, Lil Wayne and Jay-Z have become more experimental, stylish, weird; not exactly Glambert, but definitely in touch their their feminine sides. Eminem and 50 Cent were two of the smarter, more impactful artists of their time—especially Eminem, who may be the best writer of his generation, but appears to have become creatively detached in the wake of the murder of his best friend, Proof and his subsequent battles with addiction. Eminem’s latest album, Relapse, was met with a great public yawn; and it’s doubtful the dressed-up re-release (Relapse: Refill....groan) will do much, either. Guys, we liked you a lot. But just ask Adam Lambert: the tough guy act has got to go.